Jet card hourly rates fall 3.1% in Q3 to lowest since end of 2023

Hourly jet card rates fell for a second consecutive quarter in the third quarter of 2026, according to Private Jet Card Comparisons. Average rates across all categories ended Q3 at $10,958 per hour, down 3.1% from Q2 and down 2.7% from Q3 of 2025. The figure marks the lowest level since the end of 2023.

Despite the decline from recent quarters, rates remain substantially elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, up 23.7% from Q4 2019.

For jet card buyers, the falling hourly rates offer some relief on per-hour costs. However, daily minimums rose 2.2% during the quarter, making short flights more expensive even as headline rates declined. The average number of peak-day restrictions fell to 45.3 days from 45.4 days in Q2, and non-peak callout requirements dropped from 65.9 hours to 64.8 hours, giving flyers slightly more flexibility in booking.

Turboprops drive the decline

Turboprops saw the steepest price declines, falling 19.9% from Q2 2026 and 21.7% from Q3 2025 to reach $5,022 per hour. Private Jet Card Comparisons attributed much of the overall price drop to OneFlight's exit from the market; the provider had offered over 100 aircraft-specific rates including more than a dozen turboprop rates. PlaneSense also ceased sales of its Pilatus PC-12 jet card during the quarter.

Other aircraft categories showed more modest moves. Very Light Jets averaged $7,341 per hour, down 4.5% from the previous quarter. Light Jets came in at $8,333 per hour, down 1.5% sequentially. Midsize Jets rose slightly to $9,607 per hour, up 0.5% from Q2.

When turboprops are excluded from the calculation, the average hourly rate for jet cards rose to $11,422.

Market activity and new entrants

The database underlying the analysis received 56 updates during Q3, compared to 44 in Q2 2026 and 45 in Q4 2025. The index tracks entry-level jet cards defined as those with fewer than 50 hours, drawing from a database of over 80 providers and more than 1,000 options. Hourly pricing includes base rate, fuel surcharges, and 7.5% Federal Excise Tax.

Q3 also saw a new entrant offering fixed-rate guaranteed availability on piston aircraft. JetSafe launched three programmes at $3,144 per hour across its piston offerings.

NetJets' pause on new jet card sales, announced in the quarter, does not affect the analysis; the database includes existing NetJets clients who continue to renew contracts. It is unclear from available reporting whether the reported rates reflect changes in contract terms or renewal pricing for existing NetJets cardholders.